Logan Takes Off

Most fans were shocked when the team traded six-time Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay for TE Jim Wright and a 4th round draft pick next year.

Some thought that Mankins did not have a great season last year, but the real issue was money. His trade will free up $13 million in cap space over the next two years and $20 million over three.

When Mankins held out two years ago, he eventually signed a contract with numbers that were prohibitive in the future. He had no inclination to restructure it. The Pats were not going forward with that type of an impact on the salary cap.

Ultimately, he became a victim of the cap.